The Elf King and His Bodyguard

"You live in a palace made of glass?"Violet stared up at the grand building, piercing through the clouds ensconcing Basharr's Blackwood Mountain. The rest of the city sprawled out below the palace, tucked safely behind great walls of black stone."It's perfectly safe. That glass is stronger than iron or stone and has housed my family for generations," Eden replied."At least my ancestors knew about privacy," Violet muttered, urging her horse forward.They made it to the gates. The black metal swung silently open, and Violet saw the courtyard for the first time.Colors burst from every corner. Wisteria trees draped the paths, offering a pastel canopy to the courtiers wandering about. Wild roses sprung from the edge of a small stream. A golden eagle perched in a cottonwood tree."Nothing is pruned or controlled," Violet noticed, dismounting to brush the painted face of a pansy flower."I control the rain, not what my land does with it. This way," Eden replied.The horses were taken to t

"You can't wear that," Jasmine chided. "Try this."The maid had taken her rescue at Violet's hands very seriously and asked to be assigned to her to help Violet adjust to court life. If Violet had known she'd be turned into a frosted pastry in the process, she'd would've said no.Violet took the lavender silk with all its lace and pearls and tried not to grimace. "Jasmine, this is very kind, but I can't be a bodyguard in these dresses. I need trousers and a tunic. Like the men."Jasmine couldn't hide her disappointment. "Very well. I finished the black trousers last night. There's a matching black shirt. It might be tight fit—I couldn't get your measurements after you fell asleep."Violet dug the pieces out. "You made all this last night? Jasmine, you're amazing."The younger girl grinned. "They didn't have a uniform for a woman so I figured it was the least I could do." She took a step toward Violet. "You're still going to teach me how to shoot, right?""A promise is a promise," Viole

Violet and Eden stayed the rest of the day at Catalina, cleaning and talking with the villagers. There were fallen trees, waves of dried mud against the homes, and hail damage on every roof. Violet needed to rescue her arrow from the side of the tavern, too. Eden had left his crown in the carriage after the storm had blown it through the mud. Even without it he looked regal, too handsome to be chopping fallen trees."Now I understand why Catalina was never on the royal tour for rain rituals," Eden remarked to the village leader, Tamsen, taking a break on one of the split logs.He chuckled, clearly a bit nervous. "We did think it odd, my king, but who am I to question your edicts?""I appreciate the respect, but I'd always rather know the truth, Tamsen," Eden said, looking straight at Violet.She sighed and scraped another shovel full of mud from the side of a home. She couldn't believe Eden had the nerve to be mad at her when he was the one refusing to talk. All afternoon, he'd avoided

The edict for the borderlands consumed Eden's attention all day. His advisors were in and out of his chambers. Petros kept close, a quill constantly in hand. Raegan stopped by with meals but wasn't permitted to stay long.Violet watched over the debates and rewrites. The musical instruments hanging from every spare space in the walls kept her fascinated. She longed to see him play each one.The day dragged on until the sun finally dipped into night. Petros headed out to deliver the edict to riders that would spread the message to the corners of Basharr. Lord Lennox and Lord Gregor left first. The rest of the lords drifted away, one by one. The glass palace coasted between waking and sleeping."The princess is waiting for you in the kitchens, my king. Will you join her?" Violet asked."We have the place to ourselves, Violet. Call me Eden." He leaned back, weariness drooping his shoulders. "I feel like I didn't see the sky all day.""It was there," Violet replied, smirking. "Not a cloud

Four days went by. Invitations went out and the masquerade was nearly upon Basharr. Princess Raegan bustled through the corridors, the king's seal always in hand. The courtiers had quickly learned to scatter when she drew near after she conscripted half the guards into her service. They were all to attend the ball in disguise, dressed in the most opulent costumes.Violet had not escaped the princess's recruitment."Is this necessary? I look like a tear drop," Violet complained, displayed on a tailor's pedestal in a pale blue dress.Mirrors ringed the princess's room and the tailor, a shrunken elf wearing spectacles that might've been thicker than the palace walls, carefully pinned the dress's hem.Raegan's eyes sparkled. "You look beautiful! Besides I can't have you attend with me in your uniform. Stand still."Violet sighed. "I'm honored to be your escort, Princess, but this really isn't me.""Stop being so grumpy," Violet urged. "You've been like this for days. Eden said to put you i